Phil's+Page

Phil's Page?

Hi everyone, I'm going to tell you about two technologies that I dabbled in, Edmodo and Animoto (its a rhyming day!).

EDMODO

 * How to find it- Click me!
 * What is it?
 * Edmodo is 'Facebook for classrooms.'
 * Teachers can post status updates, assignments, readings, and polls to the main page, students can comment and respond to any of these things
 * Assignments are especially useful- Teachers post the assignment and students attatch their homework to the edmodo page- this means that I have all of my students' work in one place. Furthermore, grading is as simple as filing out a box on edmodo- the website does the math for me!
 * How can I integrate it?
 * Edmodo is great for the integrated classroom, where each student has their own computer or internet access.
 * When I used it during student teaching I posted that class' 'to do' on the main page- just like a face book update. This meant that students could drift off during class and then know where to drift back to when they were ready to focus
 * In real time, students can pull up their work, my assignments and directions- this removes the need for me to repeat directions, I can always refer them to the document in question.
 * Of course, for homework, Edmodo can be useful as well- don't use your class time to give assignments, post them to Edmodo where students know to look already!
 * Edmodo is great for keeping a strong routine in class, once they get used to it students will know where to look for desired information and assignments
 * Tips and tricks? Yeah, I've got them!
 * Edmodo forces you to be extra-super prepared before class. Giving an assignment? You need to have it thought out ahead of time. Have a jam packed class? Post it first! There is no editing during class without awkward downtime, and so Edmodo needs your premeditation
 * This is, of course, a great way to hold yourself accountable. I found that Edmodo forced me to be more thought out with my language and planning

ANIMOTO

 * How to find it- [|Click me!]
 * What is it?
 * Animoto is NOT edmodo's long lost cousin. Rather, it is a site that allows you to easily and quickly take your pictures and music and make a video.
 * Animoto incorporates the parts that you put in (these pictures, this music, these effects) and then adds its own twist to make a unique video. You don't micro-manage what your video will look like, rather you provide the ingredients and they make the final dish!
 * Integration?
 * I have a specific idea in mind. I'm picturing a trip to Israel where students are encouraged to explore an element of Israel (history, society, politics, etc) via their trip.
 * Students are encouraged to take pictures over the course of the trip that reflect their topic- this will focus them during what might otherwise be an overwhelming experience.
 * At the end of the trip, students will be charged with presenting an original video that reflects their experience
 * Tips? Yup!
 * Signing up entitles you to make a 30 second video with a limited number of resources. I'm poor so this is all I used, but i bet the full features are even better!
 * Making the video is idiot proof, they really have done a great job streamlining their site. The problem is the relative lack of control you have over the finished product. Its a trade off, picking the pictures and songs that tell your story may mean going out of order of a clear narrative- think outside the box

=I HAVE OPINIONS =

What role should technology play in the Judaic studies classroom? To my mind their are two 'modes of operation' for technology to play. Either we can use the internet to provide the tools needed for students to generate and share their own content, or we can use the oceans of material out on the web to present students with new media on old topics.

'Library' does not begin to describe the amount of original (and pirated) content on the internet that students can use to enhance their understanding of Jewish text (godcast being a great example). This content can be really helpful for learners who need to anchor their understanding to someone else's, but to my mind it is a shallow use of the deep sea of internet technology. Rather than inspiring, I find these videos to be diluted versions of the material,

Internet technology enables students to interact with each other and share thoughts in entirely different media. Through videos, music, pictures, and just various forms of chatting- students can learn from each other as never before. This is a monumental opportunity for teachers who are looking to inspire new types of classroom creativity and culture. Students have a forum to talk about material with each other even if they aren't comforatble speaking in public. Students can craft new ways to understand material, even if essays aren't their thing